Typewriter desk fixture



Nov. 12, 1946. M. FOX 2,411,088

TYPEWRITER DESK FIXTURE Patented Nov. 12. 1946 Martin Fox, Chicago,

IlL,

assig'nor to The Seng Company,.a corporation of Illinois Application November 15, 1943, Serial No. 510,360

2 Claims.

This invention relates to typewrite desk havinga compartment in which a typewriter platformis automatically moved upwardly and forwardly into horizontal writing position when the covermember is swung backinto the compartment.

The primary object of the invention is toprovide improved metal fixtures which maybe installed readily in the typewriter compartment and will enable the desk tO be opened intowriting position with a minimumof effort and will support the typewriter securely while it is being used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism in which the levers, links, and brackets at each side of the compartment are carried by a single metal supporting plate which may readily be installed by the desk manufacturer.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanical movement for moving the typewriter platform from inoperative inclined position to a rigid horizontal position. The mechanism is so arranged that in closed position ample leg room is provided beneath the desk and the typewriter is better protected from dust and dirt.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved counterbalance to smooth out the efiort required to move the machine and protect it from unnecessary jarring.

Still another object is to provide an improved manually operable latch to prevent the typewriter from accidentally moving to closed position under the influence of the counterbalancing spring.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a typewriter desk embodying the invention and shown in closed position; Figure 2, a broken sectional view, taken as indicated at line 22 of Figure 1; Figure 3, a sectional view, taken as indicated at line 33 of Figure 1; and Figure 4:, a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 3 but showing the desk opened and in typewriting position.

The desk is of usual construction having a main frame 5 in which is mounted drawers 6 and having a typewriter compartment 7 provided with side walls 8 and a rear wall 9. The top of the typewriter compartment has a movable cover member H] which completes the table top I I when the typewriter compartment is closed.

A typewriter platform I2 is secured at its lateral edges to an angular metal bracket l3which has at its front end an upwardly extending ear M in which is mounted a stud l5 to provide a journal for a grooved roller I6. The rear portion of the bracket L3 is provided'with a downwardly extending ear which affords a pivot I! for a lever I8. One of the brackets I3 is also provided with an upwardly extending, hook-like catch IS to be engaged by a manually operable latch 2w which is pivoted at Zl to'thecmain supporting plate 22. This latch maybedisengaged readily by the operator lifting it upwardly before closing the cover In.

The supporting plates 22 aresecured to'the upper side walls of the compartment, as indicated at 23, and the mechanism, cover, and typewriter platform are carried thereby. The supporting plates are each provided with a slot 24 which extends downwardly and rearwardly and defines the movement of the roller IS on the bracket l3. Preferably the slot has a slightlt offset front portion 25 to permit the platform to move forwardly a very slight distance as the lever 18 swings beyond the center of an intermediate pivot 26 at the rear end of the bracket 22.

The levers I 8 are pivotally connected to the cover In, as indicated at 27, and movement of this pivot actuates the platform I2 which has its rear end supported thereon. A counterbalancing spring 28 is secured to the lever l8 at a stud 29 which is located between the pivots 26 and 21. The lower end of the spring is fastened to a stud 30 in the side wall of the cabinet.

The front end of the cover It! is carried by a link 3| which is secured to the supporting plate 22, as indicated at 32, and makes a pivotal connection with the cover II], as indicated at 33. The link 3| is offset slightly so as to clear the fastening screws 23 and the pivot 2| of the latching member. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the supporting plates 22 each have at their top edge a short inwardly turned flange 22a upon which the cover rests in closed position.

To open the desk from the position shown in Figures 1-3, it is merely necessary to grasp the handle of the cover member and swing it upwardly and rearwardly to the position shown in Figure 4. This movement causes the levers l8 to raise the rear portion of the typewriter platform while the roller it travels up the slots 24 until the platform is horizontal. This action is aided by the springs 28 and at the end of the movement the latch 20 grips the catch [9 and holds the typewriter platform in position very firmly. To close the table it is merely necessary to release the latch and draw the cover member 3 upwardly and forwardly to the position shown in Figure 1.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom for some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a desk comprising a compartment having side walls and a movable cover member, a pair of fixed, spaced, metal, supporting plates, each of said plates having a downwardly and rearwardly directed guide slot; a typewriter platform provided at each lateral edge with a metal bracket having at its front end a grooved wheel to travel in one of said guide slots, the rear ends of said brackets being supported by a pair of levers, each of said levers having one end pivoted to said bracket and the other end pivoted to said .cover member and having an intermediate pivotal connection with the rear portion of one of said fixed, supporting plates; a pair of links pivotally connecting the front portion of the cover member to the upper rear portions of the supporting plates so that movement of said cover member backwardly into said compartment will project the typewriter platform upwardly and forwardly into a horizontal position; and a catch on one of said brackets to be engaged by a man-,

ually releasable latch provided on the adjacent supporting plate.

2. A: typewriter carrying fixture adapted to be mounted in a desk compartment having sidewalls and a movable cover member, comprising: a pair of spaced, metal, supporting plates each havin an elongated slot therein, said plates being adapted to be secured one to each side wall of the compartment with the slot extending downwardly and rearwardly in relation to the front of the desk; a typewriter platform provided at each lateraledge with a metal bracket having at its front end a grooved wheel to travel in one of said slots; a pair of levers each pivotally connected at one end to the rear end of one of said brackets, the other end of each of said levers being adapted to be pivotally connected to the cover member, each of said levers having at its inter- V mediate portion a pivotal connection with the rear portion of one of said supporting plates; a pair of links each pivotally connected at one end to the upper rear portion of one of said supporting plates and at the other end adapted to be pivotally connected to the front portion of the-cover member, so that when the fixture is mounted in the compartment movement of the cover member backwardly into the compartment will project the typewriter platform upwardly and'for wardly into a horizontal position; a manually releasable latch pivotally mounted adjacent the upper edge of one of said supporting plates; and a catch on one of said brackets adapted to be engaged by said latch when one of said wheels is at the upper end of one of said slots. V V Y MARTINFOX; 

